Activating game already downloaded from different account and playing without downloading again.

[Dooble Dorf]

Basically someone is getting a new computer for Christmas and I want to get him a game and have it already downloaded to it before Christmas as a surprise and as a convenience. I can log into Steam on that computer and download the game to that computer using my account but can the other person log into their account, purchase the game (or be gifted it), and play it right away or would they have to download it with their account even though the game is already on the computer?

[Peter Parky]

Yes, they can play it, as long as you two have library share enabled.

[FFL2and3rocks]

Originally posted by ⁢:

Yes, they can play it, as long as you two have library share enabled.

I think you read the question wrong.

He shouldn't have to redownload it, it should see that the files are already there.

[Dooble Dorf]

Originally posted by ⁢:

Yes, they can play it, as long as you two have library share enabled.

Here are some issues with what you are suggesting:

- Can two users share a library and both play at the same time?
- No, a shared library may only be accessed by one user at a time.

- Do I need to be online to play a shared game?
- Yes. You must be online to access and play games which are shared with you.

- When I authorize a device to lend my library to others, do I limit my own ability to access and play my games?
- As the account holder, you may always access and play your games at any time. If you decide to start playing when another user is already playing one of your games, he/she will be given a few minutes to either purchase the game or quit playing.

[Dooble Dorf]

Originally posted by FFL2and3rocks:

Originally posted by ⁢:

Yes, they can play it, as long as you two have library share enabled.

I think you read the question wrong.

He shouldn't have to redownload it, it should see that the files are already there.

That's what I would have thought. I just wanted to make sure because of how when you run a game, a popup in the bottom right corner shows a game key and maybe each user has their own unique version of the game or something.

[wuddih]

Originally posted by Chosen1Creator:

Originally posted by FFL2and3rocks:

I think you read the question wrong.

He shouldn't have to redownload it, it should see that the files are already there.

That's what I would have thought. I just wanted to make sure because of how when you run a game, a popup in the bottom right corner shows a game key and maybe each user has their own unique version of the game or something.

each account has a seperate license, the files of the game are the same for everyone.

so 2 accounts, 1 games installed on the machine, both accounts have bought the game, the little popup in the bottom right corner will show 2 different keys, depending whos account is logged in.

[FFL2and3rocks]

That key belongs to your account. If you try to run an installed game from a Steam account that doesn't have the game, Steam won't let it. If a game requires a key, he'll get his own when he has the game.